The Prix Morny, organized by France Galop at Deauville, is a prestigious Group 1 race held under Set Weight conditions for two-year-old colts and fillies. Spanning a distance of 1200 meters, the race was inaugurated in 1865 with Puebla clinching the inaugural victory.
As the foremost among the French events for juveniles, the Prix Morny’s name honors Deauville’s founder, Charles de Morny, initially contested over a 1000-meter course. Its distance has seen fluctuations, expanding even to 1400 meters on occasion. The race was interrupted during WWI (1914-1918) and WWII (1940) but resumed at alternate venues, namely Maisons-Laffitte and Longchamp.
George Stern’s jockeying prowess led to his triumph on ten instances, while Robert Denman trained eight champions. American Wesley Ward, renowned for his Royal Meeting successes, extended his winning streak to the continent. His horse, No Nay Never, secured victory in the Prix Morny subsequent to the Norfolk Stakes win in 2013. Three years later, another progeny of Scat Daddy, Lady Aurelia, emerged victorious in the Morny after conquering the Queen Mary Stakes. Lady Aurelia then triumphed in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot and narrowly missed out in the Nunthorpe.
Ward’s return in 2020 saw Campanelle clinch victory in France following her Queen Mary win at Royal Ascot. She continued her success as a 3-year-old by winning the Commonwealth Cup. Earthlight maintained an unblemished record in his juvenile year, winning the Prix Morny and subsequently the Middle Park Stakes in 2019.
Aidan O’Brien’s Blackbeard secured a non-French triumph in 2022, marking the most recent non-domestic victory.
Notable champions of the Prix Morny encompass Blackbeard (2022), Campanelle (2020), Earthlight (2019), Lady Aurelia (2016), No Nay Never (2013), Dream Ahead (2010), Myboycharlie (2007), Dutch Art (2006), Johannesburg (2001), Fasilyev (1999), Zafonic (1992), Arazi (1991), Machiavellian (1989), Green Forest (1981), Irish River (1978), Blushing Groom (1976), Grey Dawn (1964), Corrida (1934), Brantome (1933), Pearl Cap (1930), Sardanapale (1913), and Val d’Or (1904).
In the 2022 edition of the Prix Morny, Blackbeard emerged victorious, triumphing over Persian Force and The Antarctic.
